Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-30
HALIFAX.
a HAPPY OCCASION AND A NOTABLE
GAfHRRINa.
Celebrating the riftisth Anniversary
Of q Marrisge--A Big Family
Crop Notes. Personal.


ICoSresponacncc 81 the Richmond Dispasch.l
SovrH Bosrox, VA, June %, 1887.
Woedade" Is the residence OF Captain
William s. Belts. An hour and a quarters
drive from Seuth Boston Will bring the
Visitor to the Quiet country home, embow-
cred IN the shade Of large forest OF origi-
uul growth. Ii IA about one aud half
mules from Black Walnut, a village which
has long been noted for the hospitality and
refinement OF it, people. Years ayo the
community was one Of greet wealth and its
people lived Ia elegance upon their large
and fertile estates, surrounded by all the
comforts life could desire. Since the war
the inexorable hand OF adversely has
touched the place, and the large families
that once made the country for miles
around the home OF splendid and lavish
hospitality have been broken and scattered,
and many OF the old homes,esds now afford
hut faint memories OF the rural magui6.
cenee that once characterized them.
am led into this glance into the past by
the happy occasion at "Wcodside last
Friday the cath instant, which brought
back most yryidly and pleasantly those good
old DAYS that have gone forever.
The occasion l refer 10 was the celebra-
tion by Captain aud Mrs. Belts OF the d.
tieth anniversary of their marriage. The
dsy was perfect one, and nature seemed
10 smile especially for the happy family.
And what family, Seven sons and seven
daughters grew up around the devoted
eouple--the daughters noted throughout
this section fol their remarkable beauty
and their womsnly tenderness aud grace
and worth; the sons equally well-known,
haudsoi..s and populSr men. These four.
teen children are all alive With the exception
Of one, GEORGE Bets. who was KILLED at
Ktily's Ford IN the late war. The remain
my thirteen were, however, all present,
and one can imagine the happiness o. the
retnion at the old home. The sons were
Elishi. Roysto William, Hubert, Rev.
John T., and Emmett; the daughters Mrs
Ssllie II. Wilson, OF Redmond, widow oi
the hate Rev. DR.. n. W. Wilson, who died
in New orleans during the yeiow.lever
scourge in 1878; Mrs. Ella Lewis. wife OF
Professor K. ii. Lewis, president oil kins>
ton College, n. c.. and one OF the most
DISTINGUISHED educators in the State; Mrs.
NJ. II. Graves, wife OF Mr.. ID. ii. Graves.
of the Pateni.0ffice, Washington Mrs.
Mamie Butler. OF Richmond Mrs. Emma
Lea, of Danville; Mrs. III. +. Thomas. OF
Danyille Miss Maud, the youngest, who
Still lives at home.
Five sons and dsue hters-in-aw were also
there, and toe Younger generation was very
ably represented by twenty. eight grand
children, making a total Of fory-fve per-
sens. Ibe absent Of the family were two
sons in.law and twelve or fifteen grand
chidren. "Woodside " has been the
scene OF many gay assemblies, and the
laughter and smiles aud bright eyes OF
many years still seem 10 linger round its
familiar paths, but never has the past
known brighter gathering than last Fri.
day, which made the forest echo with
laughter and song. To give minute de-
seriplion OF the occasion would be pleasant
10 me, but lack OF time and space prevents.
are festivities still continue and will for
several DAYS, as most OF the children OF
Captain and Mrs. Belts will remain some
time visiting their parents. The venerable
couple have been receiving the congrattlg-
tions Of friends and Beighbors, presented
In person and by letter. MANY very hand
some, csstly, and useful presents were sent,
among them a purse OF gold. The event
has caused a great deal OF comment in
Halifax, where the family Is 90 well known
and beloved. and the general and unani.
NOUS hope is that Captain and Mrs. Bets
NAV live in continued peace, happiness,
and prosperity TO celebrate their diamond
wedding.
THE NEW OFFICERS.
Anthe county officers elected last month
qualified at court last Mondsy. They are:
Major J. w. Rely, Commonwealth's attor.
ney A. X. Green, treasurer; WI. Moon,
sheriff: J. Il. jordan. Circuit-COurt clerk;
Ell. Naueh han, County-Court CLERK; c.
NJ. Jordan, Nathaniel Loyelace. and W. II.
Chandler, commissioners Of the revenue.
MIR. Younger, who contested Mr.. Green's
election, yesterday in court. through his
counsel. withdrew his complaint, and the
contest was dismissed.
DEATH OF MES. HALE.
This most Cslimable lady, wife OF Or. sam
uel Hale. died at the residence OF her hus-
band Nor day evening last; aged siXty.eiGht
wears. She was a sister Of the late John X.
EGmuuds. Two brotbers-ColOnel Little
ion Edmunds, Of this town, and Joseph
Edmunds, OF ChaTlotte-survive her. she
also leaves her husband, several children,
and mspy devoted relatives and friends TO
mourn her death.
BRIEFs AND PERSONALS.
Color el II. e. Derrick, of Halifax Court
house, has accepted position on the Roa-
noke and southern railroad, wbicn will
run from Roanoke Clty thorough fitrich,
Henry. and Franklin counties TO Winston
and Salem, y. e.
MIR. Lucien l.. KiDsolying, who has been
attending the Episcopal Theological SENT
nary, 1T Alexandra, Is at home for the va
cation, visiting bis father Rev. DIR. o. A.
Kinsolvipe. Of Halifax Courthouse.
MIR. and Mrs. K. q. Thornton. oil Rich
mond, ore visiting relatives and friends at
Halifax Courthouse.
Mr.. Paul Edmunds. OF LvDchburg. paid
. fymg visit to the county last Saturday.
Mr. W. ID. Hill is home from the uni
versIty.
Rev. John T. Belts, OF Henrico, who is
visiting his father at Black Walnut,
preached in The Baptist church at that
place last Sunday evening to a large con-
gregstioD.
Mayor E. l.. Evans, who has been qDitc
in for some weeks, Is now c0nyalescent and
gong about again.
The tobacco market here is on boom.
PIiefs are very GOOD, and no fault can be
found with them where the goods offered
are desirable at all. PHIL.